The San Francisco 49ers, coming off a disappointing 6-11 season in 2024, are at a crossroads. With the No. 11 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, General Manager John Lynch faces immense pressure to bolster the roster, particularly the defensive line, to restore the team’s championship aspirations. Among the top prospects, Georgia’s Mykel Williams stands out as a potential game-changer. This article delves into why Williams is the ideal choice for the 49ers, focusing on his exceptional edge-setting skills, statistical performance at Georgia, and seamless fit within the team’s defensive system. Additionally, a comparison with other edge rushers in the 2025 draft class highlights his unique value.
Mykel Williams’ Edge-Setting Prowess
John Lynch recently emphasized the importance of edge rushers who can “set a firm edge,” a critical trait for the 49ers’ wide-nine defensive alignment, which prioritizes speed and disruption but demands discipline against the run. Mykel Williams excels in this area, showcasing a rare combination of size, strength, and technique that makes him a standout run defender.
At 6’5” and 265 pounds with long arms, Williams has the prototypical frame to anchor against offensive tackles and tight ends. His ability to “stack and shed” blockers is elite, allowing him to control the point of attack and disengage to make plays. Scouting reports praise his explosive strength and twitch, which enable him to blast offensive linemen backward and maintain gap integrity. For example, in Georgia’s 2024 game against Texas, Williams notched two sacks and five quarterback pressures, demonstrating his ability to set the edge while collapsing the pocket.
Williams’ run-stopping prowess is quantified by his 7.1% run-stop rate in 2024, which led all SEC edge rushers. On 129 run defense snaps, he averaged a tackle depth of just 1.3 yards past the line of scrimmage, ranking seventh in the SEC. This statistic underscores his ability to halt runs early, a critical need for a 49ers defense that struggled against the run in 2024, allowing 4.8 yards per carry (25th in the NFL).
His lateral quickness and body control further enhance his edge-setting ability. Williams can adjust to ball carriers in the backfield and execute stunts effectively, making him a versatile weapon in run defense. Unlike some edge rushers who rely solely on athleticism, Williams combines physicality with technique, ensuring he can handle the physical demands of the 49ers’ system.
Statistical Performance at Georgia
While Williams’ sack numbers (14.5 over three seasons) may not scream dominance, his overall impact at Georgia reveals a player with immense potential. Playing in a deep defensive rotation that limited his snap count to around 400 per season, Williams still produced impressive stats:
2022 (Freshman): 4.5 sacks, 6.5 tackles for loss (TFLs), 28 tackles, SEC All-Freshman Team, Freshman All-American.
2023 (Sophomore): 4.5 sacks, 7 TFLs, 31 tackles, Second-Team All-SEC.
2024 (Junior): 5.0 sacks, 9 TFLs, 21 tackles, 20 pressures, despite battling a Grade 2 ankle sprain.
His 2024 season, though marred by injury, showcased his resilience and versatility. Williams played multiple alignments, from 4i-technique to stand-up edge, and still managed a career-high 9 TFLs. His 20 pressures in 2024 highlight his ability to disrupt quarterbacks, even if sacks didn’t always follow. Per Pro Football Focus (PFF), among 199 FBS edge rushers with at least 300 snaps in 2024, Williams ranked 20th in run defense grade, despite a lower pass-rushing grade (158th). This disparity reflects his current strength as a run defender and room for growth as a pass rusher, which aligns with the 49ers’ need for a three-down player.
Williams’ youth (he turns 21 in June 2025) and limited college wear-and-tear due to Georgia’s rotation make him an attractive long-term investment. His high-character profile and work ethic further enhance his appeal, as he’s likely to maximize his potential under elite coaching.
Fit Within the 49ers’ Defensive System
The 49ers’ defensive scheme, led by defensive line coach Kris Kocurek, emphasizes a four-man rush with a wide-nine alignment to generate pressure while maintaining run discipline. Williams’ skill set aligns perfectly with this philosophy. His ability to set the edge complements Nick Bosa, who often faces double-teams, allowing Williams to exploit one-on-one matchups.
Williams’ versatility to play as a 4-3 defensive end or occasionally slide inside as a 4i or 5-technique adds flexibility to the 49ers’ front. This adaptability is crucial, given the team’s loss of key defensive linemen like Arik Armstead and the need to replace aging or departing players like Leonard Floyd. His experience in Georgia’s “positionless” defense, where he executed stunts and twists, prepares him for Kocurek’s creative pressure packages.
As a pass rusher, Williams is a work in progress but shows promise. His bull rush and long-arm move leverage his length and power, while his lateral quickness makes him effective on stunts. However, his hand usage and pass-rush arsenal need refinement, as he relies heavily on power and lacks elite bend or speed around the edge. Kocurek’s track record of developing raw talents (e.g., Aldon Smith) suggests he can mold Williams into a double-digit sack producer. Unlike past projects like Drake Jackson and Robert Beal Jr., who struggled to adapt, Williams’ superior run defense and physical traits give him a higher floor.
Williams’ fit is further enhanced by the 49ers’ need to rebuild a championship-caliber defense. After losing Dre Greenlaw, Charvarius Ward, and Talanoa Hufanga, the team requires young, high-upside players to anchor the future. Williams, paired with Bosa, could form a formidable edge duo, addressing both run and pass defense deficiencies.
Comparison with Other Edge Rushers in the 2025 Draft
To highlight Williams’ value, let’s compare him to three other top edge rushers in the 2025 draft class: Abdul Carter (Penn State), Mike Green (Marshall), and Shemar Stewart (Texas A&M).
Abdul Carter (6’3”, 250 lbs, No. 2 overall PFF): Carter is the consensus EDGE1, with 23.5 TFLs and 6.5 sacks in 2024, earning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors. His athleticism and versatility (former linebacker) make him a top-5 pick. However, his smaller frame and reliance on speed over power may not align as well with the 49ers’ need for a stout edge-setter. Williams’ superior size and run defense give him an edge for San Francisco’s system, though Carter’s pass-rush polish is ahead.
Mike Green (6’3”, 251 lbs, No. 13 overall PFF): Green led the nation with 17 sacks in 2024, earning Sun Belt Player of the Year. His 91.4 PFF pass-rush grade and 90.2 run defense grade make him a polished prospect. However, Green’s competition level (Sun Belt) and shorter arm length (32 inches vs. Williams’ 34 inches) raise concerns about his NFL transition. Williams’ experience against SEC offensive linemen and physical prototype make him a safer bet for immediate impact.
Shemar Stewart (6’6”, 267 lbs, PFF Day 2 prospect): Stewart, projected to the 49ers in some mocks, offers similar size and length to Williams, with 33 quarterback hurries in 2024. However, his lower production (3.5 sacks) and less consistent run defense (PFF 59th in run defense grade) make him a riskier pick. Williams’ higher floor as a run defender and comparable upside make him the better choice at No. 11.
Key Differentiators:
Run Defense: Williams’ elite run-stopping ability (7.1% run-stop rate, 20th in PFF run defense grade) surpasses Carter’s and Stewart’s, and rivals Green’s, making him ideal for the 49ers’ immediate needs.
Physical Traits: Williams’ 6’5”, 265-pound frame and 34-inch arms outshine Carter and Green, offering a better match for the 49ers’ wide-nine scheme.
Upside vs. Polish: While Carter and Green are more refined pass rushers, Williams’ youth (20 years old) and moldable frame suggest a higher ceiling under Kocurek’s coaching.
Scheme Fit: Williams’ experience in a versatile, stunt-heavy defense aligns better with the 49ers’ system than Carter’s linebacker background or Green’s 3-4 projection.
Potential Challenges and Mitigation
Williams is not without flaws. His 4.77-second 40-yard dash and subpar get-off (slower first step) limit his speed-rushing ability, and his pass-rush win rate (11.8%) is lower than ideal for a top-20 pick. Additionally, his 2024 ankle injury raises durability concerns, though he played through it and is expected to be fully recovered by the draft.
However, these weaknesses are mitigated by the 49ers’ coaching staff and scheme. Kocurek can refine Williams’ hand usage and develop secondary pass-rush moves, addressing his rawness. The team’s rotational approach will ease Williams into the NFL, leveraging his run defense early while allowing time to grow as a pass rusher. His injury history, while a concern, is less severe than past 49ers draft busts like Solomon Thomas, and his youth suggests longevity.
Conclusion
Mykel Williams is the ideal pick for the San Francisco 49ers at No. 11 due to his elite edge-setting skills, promising statistical profile, and perfect fit within the team’s defensive system. His ability to dominate the run game, combined with his pass-rush potential, addresses the 49ers’ urgent need to rebuild their defensive front. Compared to other edge rushers like Abdul Carter, Mike Green, and Shemar Stewart, Williams offers a unique blend of size, run-stopping prowess, and long-term upside that aligns with John Lynch’s vision. Under Kris Kocurek’s guidance, Williams has the potential to become a cornerstone opposite Nick Bosa, helping the 49ers reclaim their status as a defensive powerhouse. Drafting Williams is not just a safe bet—it’s a strategic move to secure the future of the 49ers’ defense.